ISLAMABAD: Six people, including the pilot, were killed after a helicopter crashed in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Friday, according to Indian news agency ANI, citing an official from the state’s civil aviation authority.
The helicopter was travelling from Badrinath, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination in the Himalayan mountains, to Dehradun when the accident occurred, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) said in a statement.
All six people on board, including five passengers and the pilot, died in the crash, UCADA Chief Executive Officer Prateek Jain confirmed, ANI reported.
What Caused the Helicopter to Lose Contact?
According to UCADA, the helicopter lost communication while flying over the Joshimath valley. Its tracking system also stopped receiving signals from the aircraft around the same time.
“The helicopter lost communication while it was flying over Joshimath valley. At the same time, the tracking system could no longer track the helicopter,” the authority said.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
What Measures Were Taken After the Crash?
UCADA said the entire fleet operated by Trans Bharat Aviation had been grounded as a precautionary measure following the incident.
A joint search and rescue operation was launched by the district administration, disaster management teams and military personnel in the region.
Indian television channels reported that rescue teams had reached the crash site, where fire and smoke were visible.
Trans Bharat Aviation did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.